Good evening, hopper readers! (It’s dark at 4:45pm, so “evening” is kind of an expansive concept right now—come on, solstice!) This was supposed to be a shorter column this week, so I thought. Wrong! This thing exploded on me (like my inbox, oh my goddess, please stop) with so much news, from all kinds of new openings—so many new projects!—what’s coming soon, and some service updates, too. I have chosen to not write about the viral Hilda and Jesse brouhaha that has taken over every single media outlet I can think of. It’s a nuanced story, and the piece I would want to write would entail interviews and conversations I simply don’t have bandwidth for at this very moment—I was up writing until 1:30am last night as it is.
For now, I know a bunch of us have the holidays on our minds. Last week was full of latkes and brisket and bagels, and this week feels like getting holiday cheer with friends and seeing all the lights around town. Oh yeah, and Dungeness CRAB is thankfully arriving from up north. Huzzah! (I’m feeling my transformation into Champers the elf strongly now.)
I’ve been updating my Instagram Highlights with holiday treats and events and festive places to go, where to get crab, and I’m just starting to post New Year’s Eve experiences as well. Check ‘em out for ideas!
The major thing that has totally taken over my life is putting together this year’s hopper holiday gift bag! Thanks to all of you who wrote back and expressed interest in getting one this year, which was enough encouragement for me to take this on again. I’m thrilled to announce there are currently 13 local restaurants and food businesses involved (the lineup of items is sooooooo goooood). Just you wait!
I’m so grateful to be working with Merkado in SoMa as the bag assembly and pick-up location! Gracias, Merkado! They’re going to be offering some holiday meal and cocktail kits you can pre-order and bring home with you as well.
I will be sending an email with the bag details and order link within the next couple days—I just need to finalize some back-end details before we hit go on this thing. tablehopper subscribers get first crack! Pickup and delivery will be available December 21st-23rd. Thanks to all of you for your continued support (and thanks from all the makers involved as well)! If anyone is available to volunteer for bag assembly or delivery, even a couple hours, I would so appreciate it! Champers needs some elves!
Take a look at last year’s holiday gift bag, which is also a great way to remind you of treats you should go get, like holiday marzipan treats from Schubert’s Bakery and ma’amoul cookies from Reem’s California!
Have a pleasant evening, I’ll be back in your inboxes soon enough. XO ~Champers
One of my favorite combinations I have put together from the Hanukkah platter from Poppy Bagels (some of the very best bagels in the Bay Area): smoked wild salmon roe, scallion cream cheese, dill, and chives on a poppyseed bagel. Photo: © tablehopper.com.View tablehopper Newsletter from Tuesday, Dec 7 2021
